Terry Dennis Rigby
February 10, 2020
Terry Dennis Rigby, 60, of Oak Grove, FL. passed away February 10, 2020 in Pensacola, FL. He was born in Columbia, S.C. on March 28, 1959.
He attended Auburn University. He was a retired fleet maintenance supervisor for Escambia County Solid Waste with over 32 years of service. In 2018, he was honored by the Escambia County Commission for his long career. He served as a volunteer for the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department, next month would have made 40 years and served as chief from 1988 to 1989. In 2012, he was named Officer of the Year and was honored for his decades of service to the department.
He is preceded in death by his parents Daniel and Doris Tichi Rigby.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years Sherri Clauss Rigby of Oak Grove, FL; two children Chad Rigby of Oak Grove, FL, and Kristi Rigby Hughes of Orlando, FL; two grandsons Devin and Dakota Hughes; brother Russell Young of South Carolina and numerous family and friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 14, 2020, at 11 a.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home with Bro. Kevin Flannigan officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Escambia Country Fire and Rescue Honor Guard. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
Visitation will be held Thursday, February 13, 2020, from 6-8 p.m. at Atmore Memorial Chapel Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department.
ECUA Selects Next Executive Director
February 9, 2020
The Emerald Coast Utilities Authority has selected J. Bruce Woody to be the agency’s next executive director.
Woody has been city manager since 2011 in St. Joseph, Missouri, a town of 76,000 people with a $234 million annual budget. His other work experience includes assistant director of public works in St. Joseph, engineer in Olathe, Kansas, and assistant city engineer in Kansas City, Kansas.
He has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a M.A. in public administration.
“Good governance of a utility requires regular and honest communication between the Board, the Executive Director, regulators, the district’s customers, and its employees,” Woody said in an introdctory statement on his resume. “Of equal concern are developing relationships with large industry, neighboring property owners and developing strong community partnerships and intergovernmental relationships with its member political jurisdictions. Good relationships are powerful tools to get things accomplished, especially community-wide goals and long-term initiatives.”
ECUA must next come to terms on an employment contract with Woody. That’s expected to take about two weeks, possibly in time for the ECUA board’s next regular meeting on February 25.
The salary range for the position is $160,000 to $225,000 annually.
Sunny And Warm Sunday; Rain For The Rest Of The Week
February 9, 2020
Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:
Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 68. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Southeast wind around 5 mph.
Monday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Monday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm. Cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tuesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tuesday Night: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75. Light south wind increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning.
Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Thursday: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. High near 68. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Thursday Night: A 50 percent chance of showers. Cloudy, with a low around 49.
Friday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62.
Friday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 45.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 62.
NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.
Tree Giveaway Friday To Mark Anniversary Of Century Tornado
February 9, 2020
The 4th Annual Tree Giveaway and Tornado Remembrance will be held Friday in Century.
During the 10 a.m. program at the Century Ag Building on West Highway 4, attendees can choose from red maple, Shumard oak and flatwoods plum trees while supplies last.
The program is sponsored by the Town of Century, Escambia County and the Florida Forest Service. It marks the fourth anniversary of an EF-3 tornado that struck Century on February 15, 2016.
Pictured: A 2019 tree giveaway in Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Niceville Soccer Tops Tate In District Championship Game
February 9, 2020
The No. 2 ranked Niceville Eagles defeated the Tate Aggies 3-0 in the District 1-6A soccer championship game Saturday night.
Niceville, also ranked No. 6 nationally, is headed to the playoffs.
With the switch this year to using MaxPreps ratings to determine playoff berths, Tate did not rank high enough to advance to regionals despite being district runner-ups.
Logan Tyree was named the MaxPreps player of the game for Tate.
Atmore Movie Theater, Hardware Store Being Restored As Cultural Center
February 9, 2020
An old movie theater and hardware store will have new life in Atmore thanks to a community group.
At the time the Strand Theatre on Main Street closed, the local chamber of commerce said it was oldest continuously operated theatre in Alabama.
The last movie to be shown at the Strand Theatre was in November 2013 - a first-run film “Free Birds” about two turkeys that traveled back in time to save Thanksgiving. Now, the Atmore community has come together to save the theater and take in back in time to its glory days of the 1920s.
The theater was a regional attraction in its heyday, drawing moviegoers not only from Atmore but from the North Escambia area in Florida and several Alabama counties.
The Pride of Atmore was formed to do the legwork needed to restore not only the 99-year old Strand, but also the 122-year old building nextdoor that housed the Atmore Hardware Store. The price tag to restore both buildings comes in over $3 million.
In recent days, the needed demolition work on the theater has started, with interior walls separating the lobby and the main theater removed, and even the old silver screen is down.
The Strand Theatre will undergo a complete interior and exterior renovation with a new lobby, theater area and marquee. Plans are to use it for community gatherings, live music, short term rentals and movies – second run, independent and classics.
The old Atmore Hardware building will also be renovated into a community space for live music, events and rentals. There will also be a recording studio in a portion of the upstairs area, while the remainder will be used for other arts and cultural programs.
The Pride of Atmore has raised funds through grants and donations from foundations and businesses, but is still looking for donations. For more information, email prideofatmore@yahoo.com or donate using PayPal. Contributions are tax deductible.
Pictured top: The outside plans for the Strand Theatre and Atmore Hardware buildings in Atmore. Pictured below: Demolition work inside the theater is now underway. Pictured bottom. The theater in February 2016. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
This Week’s Traffic Delay Spots To Watch
February 9, 2020
Drivers will encounter traffic disruptions on the following state roads and projects in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties as crews perform construction and maintenance activities.
Escambia County:
- U.S. 29 Widening from Interstate 10 (I-10) to Nine Mile Road (State Road (S.R.) 10 / U.S. 90A)– Drivers will experience the following traffic impacts the week of Sunday, Feb. 9.
- Detroit Boulevard will be closed west of U.S. 29 at the railroad tracks from 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9 to 6 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17 for railroad reconstruction. Detroit Boulevard between Untreiner Avenue and U.S. 29 will be open to local traffic only. All other traffic will be directed to Hannah Street, Untreiner Avenue, and Broad Street.
- Nine Mile Road at the U.S. 29 Overpass: Alternating lane shifts as crews construct the new southbound bridge.
- U.S. 29 traffic between I-10 and 9 1/2 Mile Road may experience alternating lane closures as crews continue drainage and paving operations.
- Pensacola Bay (U.S. 98) Bridge Replacement- There will be intermittent lane closures at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Feb 9.
- U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the Graffiti Bridge.
- S.R. 97 Routine Maintenance from U.S. 29 to the Alabama State Line- The outside lane will be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 9 as crews replace pavement markers.
- Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A) Widening from Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) to U.S. 29 - New Market Street will be closed at the intersection of Nine Mile Road beginning at 7 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10 as crews perform drainage work. These operations are anticipated to take seven to ten days to complete. Traffic will be detoured to Parkside Street and Milestone Boulevard. Signs and variable message boards will be in place to alert drivers of the temporary closure and alternate route.
- · I-110 Striping Operations from Gregory Street to Davis Highway- There will be intermittent and alternating lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday, Feb. 10 through Wednesday, Feb. 12 as crews stripe and place pavement markers along the roadway.
- · Nine Mile Road (S.R. 10 / U.S. 90A) Widening from Beulah Road to Pine Forest Road (S.R. 297) – The far-right portion of the I-10 off ramp that connects to Nine Mile Road (Exit 5) westbound remains closed. Drivers can still access Nine Mile Road east and westbound using the other section of the ramp. The partial ramp closure is needed to reconstruct the ramp and will be in place for through March 2020.
- · U.S. 29 Resurfacing from south of Muscogee Road (County Road/C.R. 184) to Atmore Highway (S.R. 97)– Crews continue paving operations and median work. Drivers may encounter intermittent daytime lane restrictions. Motorists are reminded to watch for crews and heavy equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
- · Hanks Road Bridge Replacement over Breastworks Creek- Crews continue roadway earthwork and preparations for base material. The roadway remains temporarily closed. Drivers on Hanks Road, west of the bridge, are detoured to C.R. 99 and C.R. 4. Drivers east of the bridge will utilize Pine Barren Road. The project is anticipated to be complete spring 2020.
- C.R. 168 Bridge Replacement over Unnamed Branch in Northwest Century- Traffic has been transitioned to the new bridge. Crews are working on grading, concrete ditch pavement, and removal of the temporary acrow bridge. Watch for workers and heavy equipment entering and exiting the roadway.
Santa Rosa County:
- · Stewart Street (S.R. 87) Road Closure from Raymond Hobbs Street to Elva Street for Parade- Stewart Street will be closed between Raymond Hobbs Street and Elva Street in Milton from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8 for the Mardi Gras Parade.
- · U.S. 98 (Pensacola Bay Bridge) Replacement- There will be intermittent lane closures at the following locations from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the week of Sunday, Feb 9.
- · U.S. 90 Corridor (Pace) Management Improvement Project- Crews are currently working on drainage improvements. East and westbound lane closures at Bostic Lane will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- · U.S. 98 Safety Improvement from Villa Woods Circle to Ortega Park Drive- Construction activities continue at the following seven locations: Villa Woods Circle to Marble Court, Oriole Beach Road, Grand Ride Circle to Fordham Parkway, El Rito Drive/College Parkway, American Avenue, Alpine Avenue, and west of Ortega park Drive. Crews continue curb and gutter, traffic separator, roadway work, and irrigation repairs. Lane closures will be in effect from 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- · S.R. 4 Resurfacing and Drainage Improvements from the Escambia River Bridge to Market Road (C.R. 87A) in Jay- There will be shoulder closures throughout the project limits for roadway and utility work.
- · S.R. 87 Bridge Rehabilitation and Repair Over Yellow River- Motorists may encounter daytime southbound lane closures as crews continue expansion joint work.
- · S.R. 87 Turn Lane and Median Modifications at South Lynn Road- Operations are taking place in the median. Motorists can expect intermittent daytime lane closures.
- U.S. 98 east and westbound, from North 14th Avenue in Pensacola to east of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Gulf Breeze.
- North 17th Avenue in Pensacola between U.S. 98 and the Graffiti Bridge.
All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather.
Jay Lady Royals Win 1-1A Basketball Championship (With Complete Tourney Scores)
February 9, 2020
The Jay Lady Royals claimed the District 1-1A championship with a 59-56 win over Paxton in overtime.
The Lady Royals advance to the regional semifinals Thursday night at Jay against Ponce de Leon.
Complete District 1-1A tournament scores were as follows:
Quarterfinals
Central 52, Laurel Hill 46
Northview 47, Baker 30
Semifinals
Paxton 68, Central 39
Jay 51, Northview 11
Championship
Jay 59, Paxton 56
Flood Warning: Escambia River Expected To Fall Below Flood Stage On Sunday
February 9, 2020
There is flood warning in effect until at least Thursday morning for the Escambia River near Century.
The river was at flood state of about 17 feet Sunday morning and expected to begin falling late Sunday. At 17 feet, considerable flooding of lowlands occurs.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Levon McKinley
February 9, 2020
Levon McKinley, age 75, went to join his loved ones in heaven on Wednesday, February 5, 2020.
He struggled many years with heart problems and passed away peacefully with his family by his side.
Levon McKinley was born on November 15, 1944, in Atmore, AL, to Bessie Mae Browning, age 40, and James Thomas McKinley, Sr, age 42. He had four brothers and four sisters, and spent his early years living in Atmore, AL. He was the first and only child to graduate from Escambia High School in 1962 and decided to join the military in 1964. He left on a bus for Mobile, AL. Although he didn’t qualify, he saw a lovely lady who was also looking to join the military. She dropped a dime, he picked it up, and the rest was history. He met his future wife, Carol Ann Latimer that day, and they married on April 10, 1964 in Bay Minette, AL. The new family settled in Gulfport, MS in 1965 and their first son, William James “Jimmy” McKinley was born in February 4, 1969. Then on January 15, 1977 Misty Kay McKinley was born. He traveled all over the country working as a truck driver. He was known for his love of good southern food, wearing his overalls, and cheering for his Alabama Crimson “Roll Tide!” He was happiest fishing at the beach front on the gulf coast, sitting in his recliner watching sports, or listening to church sermons on the radio.
Levon was preceded in death by Carol, his father, James, his mother, Bessie, his infant brother, his older sisters Pauline, Christine, Irene, and his older brothers Clarence “Bo,” James “Bud,” and Kenneth. He is survived by his two children, Jimmy McKinley and Misty Reyes, his sister Margie Wasson, his two grandchildren, Kayla and Khristian Reyes, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
The family will celebrate his life from 12:30 – 1:30pm Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Petty Funeral Home.